From Our Correspondent
A Think-Tnak, the Tinubu Media Support Group (TMSG) says it is convinced that the creative initiatives of the Tinubu administration in the education sector will introduce a fresh breath of air to the sector.
This is contained in a statement signed by its Chairman Emeka Nwankpa and Secretary Dapo Okubanjo and emailed to TheNewsZenith on Monday.
TMSG likened the initiatives to building blocks for a progressive and modern education system.
According to the think-tank, President Bola Tinubu administration has been quietly reviving the education sector for utmost efficiency.
“Even the perennial agitation of tertiary institutions workforce has been declining, thus resulting in peace on the campuses. Calls for strikes are also dying down.
“We can attribute this to the federal government’s decision to remove universities and other tertiary institutions from the Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System (IPPIS) payment platform,” It stated.
TheNewsZenith reports that IPPIS has, since its introduction in 2006, been a source of disagreement between the unions and the government.
“What may end up cementing President Tinubu’s place in history in this sector is the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELF).
“NELF started only a few days ago but has received well over 60,000 applications from students of federal government institutions.
“We urge Nigerians to note that the President had delayed the take-off of the interest-free student loan scheme to ensure that it also covers students who may be interested in skills acquisition rather than University education.
“The ultimate intention is to guarantee sustainable higher education and functional skill development for all Nigerian students and youths.
“This is by ensuring that indigent students do not drop out of school due to financial constraints.”
As for funding, the group said TETFUND made highest-ever disbursement of N643.4 billion to tertiary institutions since May last year.
The Colleges of Education got a minimum of N1.3 billion while Polytechnics and Universities received N1.6 billion and N1.9 billion respectively.
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“This quantum of funds improves teaching, research and overall development of our tertiary institutions.
“Staff beneficiaries can partake in conferences locally and internationally.
“TETFUND is also to fund the writing of textbooks and paying honorarium to supervisors in education-related programmes.
“So, this fund has a major impact on the development of tertiary institutions, staff and students,” the group stated.
TMSG also noted that Tinubu administration has no plan to ignore the issue of out-of-school children. And the need to boost secondary school education.
It nted that the situation of out-of-school children was unacceptable.
The group added that it was aware that the President had approved system-wide policies that will stem incidence of school-age children roaming the streets.
“The approved policies are captured as DOTS. This is an acronym for Data Repository, Out-of-School Children Education, Teacher Training & Development and Skill Development & Acquisition.
“The Tinubu administration is making efforts to reduce the menace of out-of-school children in its ongoing intervention on non-formal education.
“This has seen grants released to 312 Integrated Qur’anic and Tsangaya Education (IQTE) Centers in 24 States and the FCT
“The government has given grants for the construction of 419 classrooms, 66 recitation halls, 25 recitation shades, 140 offices, 27 hostels and 225 VIP toilets.
“Two million out-of-school children (Almajiris) have been enrolled in basic schools and an Arabic literacy programme offering vocational training.
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